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Virgin Media
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[Deleted User]
Posts: 0 Newbie
in Phones & TV
In March this year we moved into an apartment with Virgin installed and we signed up with them.
In May we were told that the owner of the apartment was applying for permission to demolish the house and build houses on the site, so reluctantly we moved.
I telephoned Virgin to give them notice to switch off the service to the apartment and transfer it to our new address.
I was told that they were unable to supply us at our new house as there were no fibre optic cables in the area but I would still be liable for the service as I signed over the phone for a 17month contract,
To me this seems to be taking the micky, they cannot supply the service but we still have to pay the bill!!
This morning I have recived a bill for £240.59p which is more than they told me over the phone when I rang to cancel.
What can I do, this is grossly unfair and will wipe out what little money we have after having to move twice in less than 6 months.
In May we were told that the owner of the apartment was applying for permission to demolish the house and build houses on the site, so reluctantly we moved.
I telephoned Virgin to give them notice to switch off the service to the apartment and transfer it to our new address.
I was told that they were unable to supply us at our new house as there were no fibre optic cables in the area but I would still be liable for the service as I signed over the phone for a 17month contract,
To me this seems to be taking the micky, they cannot supply the service but we still have to pay the bill!!
This morning I have recived a bill for £240.59p which is more than they told me over the phone when I rang to cancel.
What can I do, this is grossly unfair and will wipe out what little money we have after having to move twice in less than 6 months.
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Comments
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Will they not supply their "out of area" service, which would be non-cable / non-fibre optic broadband?0
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Unfortunately, it's not Virgin's fault that you are moving to a location which they do not service. I appreciate you have been forced into a move by an actual demolition, but that does not absolve you from being liable for an Early Termination of Contract (ETC) fee.Deleted_User wrote: »they cannot supply the service but we still have to pay the bill!!
Obviously, you can dispute the amount on the bill, but I doubt you'll be able to argue that you were told less on the 'phone unless you can provide evidence to that effect.Deleted_User wrote: »This morning I have recived a bill for £240.59p which is more than they told me over the phone when I rang to cancel.
Unfortunately, "fairness" does not come into it, you are breaking the terms of the legally-binding minimum term you signed up for.Deleted_User wrote: »this is grossly unfair and will wipe out what little money we have after having to move twice in less than 6 months.
In future, you need to think long and hard before signing up to any supplier if you believe your accommodation might be temporary or that you might move to an area where there is no coverage.0 -
The crux of it is you are under contract to provide a service to the address on your contract. That VM can do, the fact they cannot supply you at an alternative address is not their problem as that is not the contract to which you are both bound.
If you are able to ask them what options you have of reducing the level of service on your account, which optional extras could you end without punishment. e.g. Sky Sports, Movies etc.
This may reduce your ETF to a lower amount.0 -
When we moved into the apartment we had no idea that the owner had plans to demolish the place, we were told it was to be a long tern let by the owner.
What subsequently happened proved that in fact she had been thinking about demolishing the house for some time and had in fact applied once before to demolish the house.
Had we not been assured that it was a long term let there is no way we would have taken it on.
Was I supposed to ask virgin in which parts of our town they had fibre optic cables installed before we looked for somewhere else to live?????
It looks as if I am going to have to bite the bullet, but I am not happy that virgin have also broken their part of the contract.0 -
Yes, but Virgin have no liability for this. You signed for the minimum term.Deleted_User wrote: »When we moved into the apartment we had no idea that the owner had plans to demolish the place, we were told it was to be a long tern let by the owner.
Yes, but Virgin have no liability for this. You signed for the minimum term.Deleted_User wrote: »What subsequently happened proved that in fact she had been thinking about demolishing the house for some time and had in fact applied once before to demolish the house.
Yes, but Virgin have no liability for this. You signed for the minimum term.Deleted_User wrote: »
Had we not been assured that it was a long term let there is no way we would have taken it on.
Well, it would have been wise if you wanted to avoid the ETC. In the modern day internet connected age, the availability of supply is surely a major considerationDeleted_User wrote: »Was I supposed to ask virgin in which parts of our town they had fibre optic cables installed before we looked for somewhere else to live?????
rather than simply a desirable extra?
Virgin are contracted to provide the services to the former address only. They have not broken the terms of the contract in any way.Deleted_User wrote: »I am not happy that virgin have also broken their part of the contract.
You are completely wrong to be "unhappy" with Virgin. The circumstances of your move have nothing to do with Virgin.
This type of "problem" (or very similar) comes up with great regularity on the forum. The answer is ALWAYS the same, you'll have to pay the ETC.
Sorry.0 -
Deleted_User wrote: »When we moved into the apartment we had no idea that the owner had plans to demolish the place, we were told it was to be a long tern let by the owner.
What subsequently happened proved that in fact she had been thinking about demolishing the house for some time and had in fact applied once before to demolish the house.
Had we not been assured that it was a long term let there is no way we would have taken it on.
Was I supposed to ask virgin in which parts of our town they had fibre optic cables installed before we looked for somewhere else to live?????
It looks as if I am going to have to bite the bullet, but I am not happy that virgin have also broken their part of the contract.
virgin have broken nothing. Stop trying to find ways to blame them.
If it were me, I would pay it and then tell my landlord that they are liable for some of it if they want you to move, as they assured you that there was no plans to demolish.
Your landlord sounds like the one who's done something less than honest, not Virgin Media.0 -
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The additional costs you have to pay to get out of commitments you agreed to ARE your LL's responsibility. He may be willing to pay, as you could just as easily say it was his actions that caused you the additional expense.
VM are blameless - you agreed the term, and they are entitled to your ETC. Have you learned from this and advised your new LL that any adverse early terminations or curtailment of your rental period will need to cover your additional charges?
If not, then the same thing will happen, and the ETC due to who your new supplier is!0 -
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